CD wall tile

ABSTRACT

A device for mounting a compact disc case on a wall or other surface. The compact disc case is held securely in a mounting area within the device using opposing retainers on both the top and bottom of the device. This design allows the user to view the entire front cover of the compact disc case when mounted in the device, and allows for the removal and replacement of the compact disc case as necessary. The device may be used individually or it may be joined to other such devices using interlocking connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed towards a device to store and display compact disc cases that can be mounted on a wall or other surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,799, to Simba, has an issue date of Sep. 10, 2002. The patent is directed towards a wall or vertically mounted frame for securely holding and displaying a single compact disc case. The frame is comprised of a swing-out holder pivoted to a fixed housing.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,432, to Rohner, has an issue date of Sep. 12, 2000. The patent is directed towards a frame for mounting flat objects, such as compact disc cases. These frames can be secured adjacent to one another by suitable securing elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,687, to Whittington, has an issue date of Aug. 20, 1991. The patent is directed towards a wall-mounted apparatus for the storage and display of containers for stored media, particularly for the storage of compact discs and the display of artwork and information regarding each of the compact discs that is located directly behind the container's front cover. The apparatus utilizes a hook-and-loop fastening means to selectively and “arrangeably” mount compact disc containers thereon and includes frame members adapted to surround each compact disc container and having grooves to provide space for a compact disc user's fingers to open the front cover of the mounted compact disc case in order to access the compact disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a device to store and display compact disc cases individually on a wall.

This aspect can be attained by a system that includes a compact disc case mounting device. The device includes a mounting area to mount a compact disc case, capable of being removably attached to a surface, and a rectangular border around the mounting area having an inside perimeter and an outside perimeter and a hollow portion between the inside perimeter and outside perimeter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating a rear view of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a side view of a retainer, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a retainer removably mounted onto a protrusion from the first rectangular border of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a connecter, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a rear view of two compact disc case storage and display devices joined by two connectors, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a front view of two compact disc case storage and display devices joined by two connectors, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a cutaway side view of a connector attached into the rectangular border of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present inventive concept relates to a compact disc case storage and display device capable of being mounted on a wall or other surface.

A feature of this device is the ability to be connected with any number of other such devices in order to store a plurality of compact disc cases on a wall or other surface. The purpose of this device is to allow the user to store his or her compact disc cases in a way that displays the cover art featured on such cases.

An additional feature of this device is its ability to store and display a double compact disc case, that has approximately twice the thickness of a single compact disc case. This device may also be able to store and display other compact disc cases that have the same length and width dimensions of a single compact disc case, but have any range of thicknesses.

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment.

A device 100 can be used to store and display compact disc cases on a wall or other surface. The device 100 can be made of plastic, wood, or other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The device 100 can be comprised of a mounting area 102, where compact disc cases can be stored and displayed, and a rectangular border 103 around a mounting area 102. The rectangular border 103 can have an inside perimeter 104 and an outside perimeter 105. The area between the inside perimeter 104 and the outside perimeter 105 can contain a hollow portion (not pictured).

The device 100 can be capable of being mounted to a wall or other vertical surface using one or more fasteners. Circular openings 106 in the mounting area 102 can have suitable circumferences and tapers to receive standard wall screws, nails, or other fasteners known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Circular opening 107 in the mounting area 102 can have a suitable circumference and taper to receive a masonry screw, or any other type of fastener suitable to mount the device 100 onto masonry. Circular opening 108 in mounting area 102 can have a suitable circumference to receive a mounting hook or similar fastener.

The compact disc case mounting device 100 can have four protrusions 101 extending laterally from the rectangular border 103. Two of the four protrusions 101 can extend from the top side 109 of the rectangular border 103 and two protrusions 101 can extend from the bottom side 110 of the rectangular border 103. Each protrusion 101 can contain a circular opening suitable to receive a retainer 111, which can extend through the inside perimeter 104 of the rectangular border 103. These protrusions 101 can provide adequate space on the inside perimeter 104 of the rectangular border 103 to add respective circular openings suitable to receive respective retainers 111. Any number of protrusions 101 can be used, and these protrusions 101 can extend from the sides of the rectangular border 103.

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the rear view of a compact disc case storage and display device, according to an embodiment.

A hollow portion 202 can exist between an outside perimeter 201 and an inside perimeter 203. The hollow portion can be used to receive a connecter (picture not provided). Circular openings 206 in a back portion of a mounting area 204 can be capable of receiving standard wall screws or other similar fasteners. Circular openings 206 in the back portion of a mounting area 204 can have four, or any number of raised support members 207 extending radially, at ninety-degree angles from one another, from the circular openings 206. These raised support members 207 protect the plastic from breaking when pressure is applied by tightened standard wall screws. Circular opening 208 in the back portion of a mounting area 204 can have a suitable circumference to receive a masonry screw or other fastener. Circular opening 208 in the back portion of a mounting area 204 can have three support members 211 or any number of support members 211 extending from the top and sides of circular opening 208. Circular opening 209 in the back portion of a mounting area 204 can have a suitable circumference to receive a mounting hook or similar fastener.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a side view of a retainer 300, according to an embodiment.

The retainer 300 can create pressure points on a compact disc case, which can hold the case in the mounting area 102. Each retainer 300 can comprise a head 301, a notch 302 and a bottom 303 and can be made from Santoprene or any similar material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a perspective cutaway view of a retainer 400 depicted above where it can be removably mounted in an inside perimeter 401 of a rectangular border 402, according to an embodiment.

The retainer 400 can be mounted onto the first rectangular border 402 by inserting the bottom through the first inside perimeter 401. A notch in the retainer 400 can be of a suitable width to receive the circular opening 403 in the inside perimeter 401. The head of the retainer 400 can remain extended into the mounting area 404 when the retainer is mounted in the inside perimeter 401 of the rectangular border 402.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a perspective view of a connecter 500, according to an embodiment.

The connector 500 can be used to connect multiple compact disc case storage and display devices.

The connector 500 can comprise a first extension 501 at a first end 506 and a second extension 503 at a second end 507 mounted in parallel to the first extension 501. The connector 500 can also comprise a spacer 502 between the first extension 501 and the second extension 503 that can be mounted in parallel to both the first 501 and second 503 extensions.

The first extension 501 can be made to securely fit inside the hollow portion in the rectangular border and the second extension 503 can be made to securely fit inside a second hollow portion in a second rectangular border on a second compact disc case storage and display device (not pictured).

FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a rear view of two compact disc storage and display devices joined by two connectors 601, according to an embodiment.

A first compact disc case storage and display device 602 can be joined to a second compact disc case storage and display device 603 by two connectors 601. Any two compact disc case storage and display devices can be joined by any number of connectors.

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating a front view of two compact disc storage and display devices joined by two connectors, according to an embodiment.

A first compact disc case storage and display device 702 can be joined to a second compact disc case storage and display device 703 by two connectors. A compact disc case 704 can be mounted into the first compact disc case storage and display device 702. The two spacers 701 on the two connectors used to join the first and second compact disc case storage and display devices 702 and 703 are visible in this drawing. The purpose of the spacers 701 can be to provide a uniform gap between the first compact disc case storage and display device 702 and the second compact disc case storage and display device 703.

Retainers 705 in the first compact disc storage and display device 702 can be used to removably store and display a compact disc case 707.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a cut-away top view of a compact disc storage and display device with a connector removably mounted into it, according to an embodiment.

A connector 801 can be removably attached to a compact disc storage and display device. The first extension 804 can be held in place by a clip 802. The clip 802 can contain a ridge 806, which can be received by a channel 807 located on a connector 801. The clip 802 can be made of a material pliable enough to move the ridge 806 into or out of a channel 807.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A compact disc case mounting device, the device comprising: a first mounting area to mount a compact disc case, the mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; and a first rectangular border around the first mounting area having a first inside perimeter and a first outside perimeter and a first hollow portion between the first inside perimeter and first outside perimeter.
 2. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of protrusions extending from the first rectangular border, the protrusions comprising respective retainers to fit into each respective hole.
 3. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 2, wherein each protrusion has a hole and a respective retainer to fit into each respective hole.
 4. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a second mounting area to mount a compact disc case, the second mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; a second rectangular border around the second mounting area having a second inside perimeter and a second outside perimeter and a second hollow portion between the second inside perimeter and second outside perimeter; and a connector removably connecting the first hollow portion and the second hollow portion.
 5. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 2 further comprising: a second mounting area to mount a compact disc case, the second mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; a second rectangular border around the second mounting area having a second inside perimeter and a second outside perimeter and a second hollow portion between the second inside perimeter and second outside perimeter; and a connector removably connecting the first hollow portion and the second hollow portion.
 6. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 3 further comprising: a second mounting area to mount a compact disc case, the second mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; a second rectangular border around the second mounting area having a second inside perimeter and a second outside perimeter and a second hollow portion between the second inside perimeter and second outside perimeter; and a connector removably connecting the first hollow portion and the second hollow portion.
 7. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 4, wherein the connector comprises: a first extension to securely fit inside the first hollow portion; and a second extension connected to the first extension that securely fits inside the second hollow portion.
 8. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 5, wherein the connector comprises: a first extension to securely fit inside the first hollow portion; and a second extension connected to the first extension that securely fits inside the second hollow portion.
 9. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 6, wherein the connector comprises: a first extension to securely fit inside the first hollow portion; and a second extension connected to the first extension that securely fits inside the second hollow portion.
 10. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 7, wherein the connector further comprises: a spacer between the first extension and the second extension that fits between the first outside perimeter and the second outside perimeter.
 11. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 8, wherein the connector further comprises: a spacer between the first extension and the second extension that fits between the first outside perimeter and the second outside perimeter.
 12. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 9, wherein the connector further comprises: a spacer between the first extension and the second extension that fits between the first outside perimeter and the second outside perimeter.
 13. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 10, wherein the rectangular border comprises any number of clips.
 14. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 11, wherein the rectangular border comprises any number of clips.
 15. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 12, wherein the rectangular border comprises any number of clips.
 16. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a connector wherein each respective extension is capable of receiving a respective clip.
 17. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 14, further comprising a connector wherein each respective extension is capable of receiving a respective clip.
 18. A compact disc case mounting device as recited in claim 15, further comprising a connector wherein each respective extension is capable of receiving a respective clip.
 19. A compact disc case mounting device, the device comprising: a mounting area to mount a compact disc case, the mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; and a rectangular border surrounding the mounting area comprising a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion comprising a respective retainer to secure a compact disc case.
 20. A compact disc case mounting device, the device comprising: a first mounting area to mount a compact disc case, first mounting area capable of being removably attached to a surface; a first rectangular border around the first mounting area having a first inside perimeter and a first outside perimeter and a first hollow portion between the first inside perimeter and first outside perimeter; said first rectangular border comprising a plurality of protrusions, each protrusion comprising a respective retainer to secure the compact disc case; and a connector to attach said compact disc case mounting device to an additional compact disc case mounting device. 